Deke Bellavia - LSU vs Iowa - the last time they played!

When the LSU Tigers and the Iowa Hawkeyes meet New Year's Day in the 2014 Outback Bowl, it will mark just the second time ever the two schools battle. The first meeting is one I'll always remember.

Iowa stunned LSU with a last second win. The Tigers prideful football program had been restored by a man who is now still pretty much hated in the Capital City of Baton Rouge and everywhere purple & gold reigns...with the exception of Tuscaloosa.

It was back in December 2004 and it was one of the most interesting weeks in the rich history of LSU football. The way LSU landed the 2005 Capital One Bowl and the storyline leading up to the game was as good as the game itself. And the game was pretty salty!

Entering the 2004 CFB season, LSU was coming off their first national title since 1958 and just the second in school history. The Tigers beat Oklahoma 21-14 in the BCS Title Game, which happened to be in the Sugar Bowl in the Big Easy.

Just days after the Tigers beat the Sooners, Coach Nick Saban held a special press conference to announce he would not be going to the Chicago Bears or any other NFL team, and that he and his family were very happy in Baton Rouge.

During the 2004 college football season, LSU lost two regular season games. LSU lost one to Georgia (16-45), and the Tigers controversial 10-9 loss to Auburn kept LSU from getting back to the SEC Title Game in 2004...as Auburn would win the SEC West.

LSU's Fighting Tigers wrapped up the regular season with a nice 9-2 record. LSU beat Arkansas 43-14 and then learned their fate—they'd play the Big Ten's Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2005 Capital One Bowl.

After the Tigers received their invitation, speculation once again began about the future of then LSU head coach Nick Saban. This time, Tigers fans fears became a reality. Nick Saban announced Christmas Day he would be leaving LSU to become the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Saban stayed on to coach the Tigers for their game against Iowa. The Tigers looked as if they would send Coach Saban off to Miami with a big win; LSU took a 25-24 lead with just :46 second left in the game. QB Jamarcus Russell threw a yard TD pass to Skyler Green to give the Tigers what looked to be the game winning points.

But, the Hawkeyes did something not many teams could do...they wentthe length of the field against a Nick Saban coached defense. QB Drew Tate threw a 56 yard bomb to Warren Holloway, and the Hawkeyes stunned the Tigers winning as time expired 30-25. The Tigers finished the season with a 9-3 record.

During the broadcast of LSU's game against Iowa, rumors surfaced that Oklahoma State Coach Les Miles would become the next coach at LSU. Those rumors turned out to be true. Miles was officially named the Tigers new head coach the next day--January 2, 2005.

The Tigers and Hawkeyes will meet once again marking their first clash since Iowa's 30-25 win over LSU in 2005 on New Year's Day.

Nine years later the two shall meet again.

Now, this is where some would say I buried the lead. There's another reason I'll NEVER forget that game. I had just been diagnosed with cancer...and three days after that January 2005 LSU/ Iowa game Buddy D passed away. Life is unique indeed. And as these teams get ready to play again...I'm worried about my next x-ray.